Customer Reviews

Helsreach (Warhammer 40000)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My first 40k novel ever was Jonthan Green's Crusade for Armageddon. As such the Black Templars hold a special place in my heart as does the planet of Armageddon. When I read the premise of Helsreach I couldn't help but to buy it. Sadly it wasn't everything I hope it would be.

Firstly let me say I have nothing against Aaron Dembski-Bowden, I follow his blog and I find him a refreshing personality in the ranks of the Black Library. The guy is freaking hilarious and if you're a 40k fan I recommend reading his irregular posts.

Now to the review. I did not like Grimaldus as a character, nor did I identify with any of his squad members. For Black Templars they seem awfully whiny. This on its own isn't a real tragedy, I never expected there to be another Uriel Ventris or Justicar Alaric. As far as personality goes the Steel Legion storm trooper Andrej was my favorite character, he had his humorous moments but even he wasn't that compelling.

One aspect of Helsreach I did appreciate was the strategic talks at the beginning of the novel. Often times in 40k literature the logistics of a major battle or campaign are neglected. Dembski-Bowden touches on this and depicts it quite well.

My overall complaint is how bland and faceless Dembski-Bowden characterizes the orks. I don't know if he delved into much research of the greenskins in his planning but I wouldn't be surprised if he neglected to. Too often he describes their vehicles as junk-tanks and their weapons as junk-guns and their gargants as junk-titans. The author fails to describe the orks anywhere near as well as Green did. Even though the greenskins are an endless tide of brute force a little more personality would have lended plenty to this novel.

My last complaint is the action. In his blog Dembski-Bowden has mentioned that his least favorite aspect of 40k novels is that they seem to be aimed at testosterone crazy adolescent adrenaline junkies. I fully agree with him. A lot of the novels lack plot and substitute page after page of gore and viscera. Helsreach has action but it is nothing too compelling and there are several scences that just cut out at a crucial moment. This I could over look if the plot were brilliant but, it too, is pretty cut and dry.

I'm going to keep my eye on ADB, I think he has a lot of potential. I have his novel Cadian Blood which I intend to read sometime and I would like to pick up his Night Lords novel. I say give him a chance but i wouldn't recommend this book to be that chance.

This is my third WH book by this author, and my favorite so far by him. Cadian Blood (Imperial Guard) and Soul Hunter (Night Lords) were both good enjoyable reads, but this one beats them both. It is the second in the "Space Marines Battles Novel" series (the first was Rynn's World (Warhammer 40,000) featuring the Crimson Fists, which I also thouroughly enjoyed).

In this book, the greenskins have come back to the planet Armageddon, and the Black Templars send a crusade under their new Reclusiarch, Grimaldus, to help defend Helsreach, one of the most important hives on this industrial world. Along with the local militia and the Steel Legion, the Astartes make the orks pay for every inch. Grimaldus fights against the orks on the outside, but inside he battles his own doubts that he can live up to his new title. Pushed to the brink, Grimaldus and his Templars fight for the city and especially for the glory of their chapter. But is it enough?

A few things made this book really enjoyable. First was the sci-fi combat, which this book has in spades. Plenty of ork-crushing gory combat accounts to be found here. Second, there is a fair amount of the book devoted to a Titan Legion, which adds another dimension to the story, and provides good info for those who can't tell the difference between a Warhound Titan and a Reaver Titan (I couldn't, until I read this book). Third, the supporting human forces (in this case the Steel Legion) fight well, and earn the Templars respect. Finally, there are a few human subplots in the book; not enough to be distracting, but enough to make the book more enjoyable and give it more depth.

Start to finish, enjoyable, action packed, and definately worth picking up.

Chaplain Grimaldus of the Black Templars Space Marine Chapter is given the honor of becoming Reclusiarch shortly before his newest duty. He and his brothers are charged with the defense of Hive Helsreach from orcs. Helsreach will be assaulted by the largest greenskin-breed xenos invasion ever endured by the Imperium of Man. The Helsreach Crusade is but one of the battlezones, yet the Reclusiarch has sworn an oath that he would stand and fight until the end.

As enemy forces grow and the numbers of Space Marines begin to reduce, Grimaldus will ignore the outraged reactions of the Cult Mechanicus members by forcefully taking possession of the Machine-God's most holy weapon, Oberon. Despite the overwhelming odds, Grimaldus and his men will face a desperate last stand unlike any other.

**** FOUR STARS! The author has created yet another exhilarating tale of battle for his battle-hungry readers to absorb. I am no exception. The only real problem I have with this story is the shifting of view points. The story is mainly seen from the view of Grimaldus. At multiple times the writing style switches from Third Person view to First Person view. This became tedious to me after awhile; however, I am sure it will not bother most. The changes in pace/view tilted me off balance and the slight break in my concentration lessened my enjoyment of those scenes.

The battles, strategies, and even the scenes that actually reminded me that Grimaldus was once human, are well done. The Reclusiarch's character has the perfect amount of depth development. Yet in various parts the narration becomes very long-winded. Those sections have little or nothing to do with the action, but for the W40K die-hard fans they yield much information about the Astartes.

All-in-all, I found this to be an enjoyable read. The middle of the book, for those interested, has a few pages (camouflage-colored) dedicated as maps so readers may easily follow the action. As I said, Exhilarating! ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Ok, I guess I should say more. Helsreach covers the war on Helsreach in which the Black Templars and Mechanicus are defending it from an insane invasion of Orks.
The book itself is fantastic since it involves, in an abstract sense, the tempering of the Black Templar leader who has to learn humility and dedication. His trial is one of true Warhammer 40K in that he learns his lesson while facing swarms of Orks.

My personal favorite was the experience that was interwoven into the Titans and its crew. A haunting yet driven experience into what it would feel like to be within a Titan. The amazing power comes at a cost. Would you be willing to pay the price?

I liked this book. Although it was a quick read for me I still enjoyed it. I will admit though that I only picked it becuse of an upcomming MMO about the Warhammer 40K universe called Dark Millinium Online. I urge everyone to check it out! This look like it is going to be a very AWSOME game. But as it realtes to to book, the Space Marine chapter know as The Black Templars are in the game. In fact so far they are the only loylast marines in the game so far. And as I knew almoast nothing about the Black Templars, other than the fact that they are a second founding from The Imperial Fists, I picked up this book. It was a differnt tone than moast the other books I had read about Space Marines. Black Templars can be a bit bigited as they dislike pysckrs and other mutated humans. On the plus side this is told from the AMSOME vantage point of Grimaldus a skull faced Chaplin. ANd for those who don't know, Chaplins in the Space Marines kick toatal butt!

I've read countless Warhammer 40k books, and some were better than others, Helsreach is one of the good ones, dare I say the best I've read. If you like the bravado of the monk-like samurai warriors of the Emperor, this one will not fail you. I read it after several years of not reading Warhammer 40k novels, and it brought me back to the series with the Emperor's venegance. I know some of you reading this will doubt, but steel yourselves for the return of the Emperor's finest, expertly written and concieved. a true pleasure to read and enjoy. Very unique in many ways, and yet also very 41st century as well. You will love it.

I liked this book a lot more than the previous Black Templars novels from the BL (Sorry, I find Brother Jarold to be a Psycho). I like how AD-B brought home the Black Templars theme of Knighthood, like the original Knights Templar. I liked the strong personalities which brings to mind certain scenes from of the movie "Kingdom of Heaven". But my favorite charactor in the book is definitely the hilarous Stormtrooper Andrej. The battles are viscreal and vividly depicted. On a negative note Grimaldus seemed a little pouty and the end wrapped up a bit quick for my taste. But all in all, the book is an excellent read!

-Garrick

Aaron Dembski-Bowden gives Warhammer 40K fans a look into the violent lives of the Black Templar chapter of the Space Marines in "Helsreach," a Space Marine Battles Novel.

Newly dubbed Reclusiarch Grimaldus and his band of Black Templar Space Marines are sent to the planet Armageddon to aid the Imperial Guard in defense of Hive Helsreach. Their main objective is to prevent xenos invaders from taking control of Hel's Highway, the road that passes straight through the heart of the city. As always, it's a suicide mission, and the odds are greatly stacked against the Templars.

The xenos, for those unfamiliar with the Warhammer 40K universe, are a vile group of orks and other alien creatures that pose a great threat to mankind. They are intent on overtaking every planet they encounter and destroying the Empire at all costs.

The Templars join forces with the Imperial Guard and others in an attempt to hold off the xenos long enough for reinforcements to come in and help them finally push the xenos off of the planet. Grimaldus also sets out to find a legendary super weapon to drive the xenos off of the planet for good.

Dembski-Bowden, much like he did in his book "Cadian Blood," does a wonderful job of littering this story with an excellent assortment of supporting characters. While the primary focus is on Grimaldus as he attempts to come to terms with the fact the he is the newest Reclusiarch of the Templars and that he's most likely not going to survive his first mission as such, other Templars and individuals also get a decent presentation in this story. From the hotheaded, sword-wielding Priamus to the brave and noble Bastilan, many of the Templars are fleshed out for the reader. Other supporting characters like Colonel Sarren and Dockmaster Maghernus also get plenty of space on the page, and make this story that much better for it.

Of particular interest is the stormtrooper named Andrej. He provides some much needed humor in an otherwise dark tale.

Fans of the Space Marines will enjoy this book for its nonstop gore, brutality, and violence. While it delves a bit deeper into the Templars emotionally than other Space Marine novels, it stays loyal to the sci-fi military action that has made this series so popular.

This is pulp science fiction served on a platter, so don't come into this tale expecting "Moby Dick." Highly recommended to sci-fi action fans and anyone who enjoys a good shoot'em up.

Was I the only one who enjoyed the antics of the "mere mortals" over the Space Marines? I normally root for the underdogs anyways, but the Black Templars just seemed too boring and, regrettably, angsty. Also why does the cover art never seem to match the in-text descriptions? I'M ANGRY! BLAGH!

Aaron is really growing as an author. I really like the enormous scope of the battle of this book. Some of the space marines were a little whiny for super beings, but I am a fan of Orks and they are just spilling out of this book.